Introduction to analysing texts in CDA

Start analysing texts in critical discourse analysis in this 4-hour introductory training workshop.

Two of the most important features of all texts are:

1. How they represent people (social actors): what labels they are given, who is included, who excluded, which are active, which are passive - and more

2. How they use other texts (intertextuality): which texts are referred to and which are not, which types of text are refered to and which are not.

The specific importance of these features differ from project to project. Typically, though, both the representation of social actors, and the use of intertextuality are key ways in which texts can do the work of conceptualising and legitimising particular points of view.

Patterns in the representation of social actors and use of intertextuality can be typical of the social practices in which they are produced - and so mapping these patterns can reveal significant discursive features in the lanscape of a particular field. In individual texts, the representations of social actors and the use of intertextuality can be admirable or problematic from a critical point of view - and so identifying the meaning potential of a text in this way can therefore be an important analytical step in social research.

In this course you will be given:

• A detailed introduction to these two key analytical concepts in CDA:

  • Analysing the representation of social actors

  • Analysing intertextuality

• A demonstration analysis of an example text - we talk through the analytical process and decisions in real time

As a participant you will then:

• Work through a piece of text of your own

• Talk through your decision making process, findings

• Receive feedback on your work

We will discuss the possibilities of applying these types of analysis to larger bodies of data and consider possibilites for deeper qualitative analysis or wider quantitative analysis.

The training workshop is designed to give you experience of doing CDA on your own data texts so that you can go on to do your own more extensive analysis, incorporate CDA into research project design, undestand the possibilities for applying CDA in your own field of work

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• a working knowledge of how to analyse texts for represetnations of social actors and intertextuality

• an analysis of your own texts:

  • Which social actors are included or exluded from your texts

  • Which intertexts are included or excluded from your text

• an working knowldege of how you could go on to use these concepts in further qualitiatitve or quantitative projects

• A list of further reading

Who is the training course for?

This is for anyone who would like to start analysing texts using CDA but we specifically imagine academics working in social sciences, or on societal issues, who see value in analysing texts using CDA but would like guidance on how to start, would be the primary audience. No previous exerience of text or language analysis will be assumed.

Practicalities

The workshop will be a live online course on Zoom. A link will be sent to you on registration and a reminder before the workshop.

The workshop will last up to four hours - with slides and discussion, but with time away from the screen for breaks.

A key feature of the course is that you begin to work on your own texts - please have at least two texts in the region of 500-1000 words each that you would like to work on during the workshop.

Participant numbers will be limited to ensure ample time for discussion and feedback.

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